An unexpected find on a road trip in the summer of 2020 was The Antiquus Bison Park in Saint Louis, Saskatchewan. "Phantom" is pictured above.
The English language plaque at the base of "Phantom" reads:
"Bison Antiquus"Before you stands the life-size and colour replica of a species of bison that once lived on the North American Plains. It commemorates the St. Louis Site (FfNK-7) discovery in 2002 AD east of the village of St. Louis on the terraced remains of an ancient flood plain of the lower South Saskatchewan River. The location contains evidence of repeat bison kills, butchery and camp sites of some 13 human occupations dating back at least 4590 to 8400 years. Along with the remains of bison, fish, waterfowl, rabbit and grouse, the site in 2002 offered evidence of a stone-tool making station, the base of a Late Plano spear point and a possible shell sequin, Larger than the modern bison by 25%, the Antiquus Bison, now extinct, roamed this area following the recession of the fourth and last ice age some 10,000 years ago."
The Saint Louis Bridge rail line was closed in 1983 but served vehicular traffic until 2014.
The gate at the entrance to the bridge. Unfortunately the gate was locked at the time of my visit.
Photographed on August 6, 2020.
Well, I learned something new today, thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteVery interesting. The bridge was closed when we were there in Nov 2020. I don't know if public access to the bridge is closed permanently or not.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what's happening the bridge either. Would be fun just to walk across.
DeleteShame that that particular family of bison is extinct. Interesting to read that the remains there date back that many years.
ReplyDeletePeople have been in North America for a long, long time. Can't imagine how they hunted a bison as large as the Bison Antiquus but somehow they did, and successfully.
Delete